[Banglaguy]

Originally Posted by Ian Pont
Firstly, a GREAT coach can make a BIG difference. Kirsten did for India and Flower is doing it for England. Below national level, coaches become EVEN MORE important as they are charged with developing talent. So a coach's role is not overestimated in my view.

What fans do overestimate is how quickly that coach can make a difference. And as you mention there, if the players don't learn from mistakes then the coach cannot force them.

However, a coach at international level has to be able to get those points across. He also has to be an inspiration for the squad and be a hard-working coach who understands how to get the best from players around him and still keep the door open for others to have a chance.

Fans have unrealistic hopes and dreams compared to the reality, many times. This is why successive head coaches have to keep pointing out where the team is the rankings, as the rankings tell the reality. They only do this because the fans expect far more than can be delivered in the time frame or with the resources.

What a Head Coach CAN do immediately though is change the mindset of the players into a winning one. No more 'if we get 240 that's good enough' mentality. Time will tell if there are some good signs over the next 6 months.

Do you think that we'll be ready to beat both West Indies and Pakistan at home? (Both Test + Odi's)